January 26, 2008

Bonjour!

This morning was an interesting experience. After getting up really early, we left the hostel and headed to Nyon, a town about 15 mins outside of Geneva. Here we met up with our host families, and one by one people started leaving the group. It was super awkward at first and we were all crowded in the corner of a small conference room waiting anxiously. Finally families began to come in and everybody said their uncomfortable hellos. In Switzerland its often customary to kiss somebody three times on the cheek (left, right, left) instead of hugging or shaking hands, so it was funny to watch all of us engage in this cultural oddity, and plenty of the kids messed up.

Anyway, I've finally settled into my Swiss home. I'm living in the town of Arzier, a small old village of about 2000 people nestled in the Swiss mountains. From my window, I can see the massive Lake Geneva and an incredible view of the Swiss Alps (pictures soon to follow). It almost doesn't look real. My room is nice, about the size of my dorm room with a bed, a dresser and a small desk. And yes, I have met the cat, who is actually quite nice and affectionate. I don't remember the name of it but I will update when I do.

As for the family, my mother is Colombian and speaks many languages, but we have been speaking mostly Spanish and English. The older daughter met me at the hotel today, but then had to go to work at McDonalds (which I find pretty funny). She is the equivalent of a high school senior, but lives half the time with her boyfriend who apparently just got an apt somewhere in Switzerland haha. The younger daughter is skiing for the weekend but will be back tomorrow night. There is also and older brother, but he lives and works in Nice, France. The mom is divorced but apparently her husband lives somewhere close.

Seems like I'll have a good amount of independence. The town is about a forty minute commute into Geneva nearly every day, which shouldn't be too bad. The family seems like it is pretty busy so it should be interesting to see how the interaction and day to day life plays out over the next fifteen weeks.

Pictures from the few days of orientation in Geneva are up on facebook and im trying to get the link so i can post it up here.

miss everybody back stateside!